We combine 3 techniques - coaching, mentoring and consulting - to propel clients towards their goals. Each client will benefit from a different blend of these techniques, depending on their unique needs.

Coaching is an empowering technique that unlocks the client’s potential through reflective inquiry and consistent accountability. Together, we identify and challenge self-limiting beliefs. In this model, the client is the expert and develops solutions to their own problems (the coach serves as a facilitator to promote self-awareness). 

Through coaching, the client attains permanent skills that can be used to prevent and solve future problems. Coaching may occur individually or within a group setting.

Example coaching scenario: A client is struggling with work-life balance. Through coaching, the client becomes aware that their difficulty saying “no” has exacerbated their work-life imbalance. The client works with the coach to improve limit-setting behaviors. The result is a lighter, more focused workload with improved career satisfaction.

Mentoring is a technique that offers career guidance built from mentor’s training and lived experience. Together, we identify the pitfalls and opportunities that come with the various paths that a client may take.

Mentoring is most effective when the client needs technical skills or insight that coaching alone cannot offer. Mentoring may occur individually or within a group setting.

Example mentoring scenario: A client is seeking a promotion and is in need of support with interview preparation, CV revision and salary negotiation. The mentor supports the client by ensuring that their CV and interview answers accurately reflect the talents of the client. The result is improved confidence , attainment of the desired position, and improved promotion-seeking skills that can be used in the future.

Consulting is a technique that uses analytic tools to diagnose the root causes of important problems. Together, we develop actionable solutions and support the client through the implementation process.

Consulting is most helpful when the client’s needs are systems-based or multifactorial. 

Example consulting scenario: A medical director is having trouble leading their practice. Patient satisfaction is low, teamwork is poor, and efficiency is suboptimal. The consultant and client create a process map to identify the most problematic steps in the patient experience. Solutions are identified through a team-based brainstorming activity. A prioritization matrix is used to determine the feasibility of each proposal. Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) methodology is used to pilot the next steps. In parallel, the consultant assesses and closes gaps in the medical director’s leadership toolbox to increase the likelihood of success.

The result is a streamlined office workflow, attainment of key clinical metrics, and enhanced leadership skills for the medical director.

There is robust evidence that physician coaching - especially when conducted by peers- can reliably improve professional engagement and fulfillment, while reducing burnout symptoms.

References:

1. Fainted, T, et al. Impact of an Online Group-Coaching Program on Ambulatory Faculty Physician Well-Being: A Randomized Trial. J Am Board Fam Med 2025.

2. Kiser, SB, et al. Physician Coaching by Professionally Trained Peers for Burnout and Well-Being: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2024.

3. Dyrbye LN, et al. Professional Coaching and Surgeon Well-being: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Ann Surg 2023.

4. Fainstad T, et al. Effect of a Novel Online Group-Coaching Program to Reduce Burnout in Female Resident Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open. 2022.

5. Makowski, MS. et al. Employer-Provided Professional Coaching to Improve Self-compassion and Burnout in Physicians. Mayo Clin Pro 2022.

6. Boet S, et al. Impact of coaching on physician wellness: A systematic review. PLoS One.2023.

7. McGonagle AK, et al. Coaching for primary care physician well-being: A randomized trial and follow-up analysis. J Occup Health Psychol. 2020.

While there is some overlap in techniques (e.g. reflective inquiry, active listening), coaching and therapy are quite different.

Coaching is focused professional goals whereas therapy is primarily focused on one’s personal life.

Coaching is action-based and future-oriented whereas therapy may focus more on the past (e.g. identifying and addressing previous traumas). 

Therapy is conducted by behavioral health specialists and is considered a treatment for mental health conditions. While coaching can improve career satisfaction, it does not treat mental health conditions.

Many clients find coaching and therapy to be complementary services.

Our services are for individuals who are navigating career challenges. Ideal clients are those who are:

• Searching for clarity on their career path.

• Looking to grow or refine their leadership skills.

• Working through an organizational realignment.

• Demonstrating signs of burnout, or are at-risk for burnout.

• Planning to make a career shift.

• Seeking guidance from an experienced external mentor.

• In need of professionalism monitoring after committing a professionalism lapse.

Yes, our core techniques - coaching, mentoring and consulting - can be used to support individuals from any field.

Yes. group coaching works best when participants are in a similar career phase or have shared needs. Please contact us directly to arrange a group coaching event. 

For most individuals, six months (12-sessions) is sufficient to develop goals, produce an action plan, and support the client through the initial phases of plan execution. 

Clients with complex, ongoing needs (such as a career shift or a nuanced leadership challenge) would benefit from prolonged services.

Clients with more acute, concrete needs may do well with just three months (6-sessions) of support.

Individual services cost $250 per hour. Costs per session may be reduced through the purchase of longer packages.

Group coaching services cost $100 per participant.

Coaching is most effective when clients make space to follow through on key tasks. As such, clients should plan to spend at least 2 hours executing follow up tasks.

Yes.

An effective coaching conversation requires transparency and vulnerability from the client. Privacy facilitates this honest communication. As such, conversations held with our coaching team will be remain confidential from your employer - even if your employer is the payer.

While we can disclose your attendance in sessions to your employer, we cannot disclose the content of our discussions.

Yes.

Most employers will reimburse physicians for “professional development activities.” Your activity with 5 Why Coaching & Consulting may be submitted as CME 2 (“Self Study”) credit. 

We provide clients with CME logs (including dates, duration, and objectives covered) to support your reimbursement claim.

Most states will accept CME 2 credit to fulfill part of the continuing education requirement. Our work falls under the categories of Professionalism and Practice Based Learning and Improvement.

Currently, we do not offer CME 1 credit.

Our services are primarily virtual.

In-person services may be arranged with advanced notice.

If you ask “why” enough times, you will get to the root cause of any problem.

The 5 Whys tool (part of the Lean Six Sigma philosophy) is commonly used by business and health care leaders to identify root causes of common problems.

At 5 Why Coaching and Consulting, we use the principles and tools of Lean Six Sigma to identify the root causes of your problems, so that we may develop solutions that are practical and sustainable.

LSSCGB = Lean Six Sigma Certified Green Belt. This designation recognizes Dr. Cruz’s expertise and to process improvement. 

Dr. Cruz uses these principles to support individuals with professional growth, work-life balance, and leadership development.